Architectural Acoustics: Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition

Abstract

An architect facing his or her first encounter with an acoustic challenge, a building owner or developer planning acoustically sensitive facilities, or an architecture student first exploring the realm of sound would be lucky to come across the latest edition of this book. The most recently published of many similarly titled books, this hardcover edition is a comprehensive primer on the diverse aspects of sound in commercial and institutional buildings, written by a group of the most preeminent practitioners in the field. In addition to providing a broad introduction to the basic issues involved when dealing with sound and noise in buildings, the book contains many types of acoustical data which make it a useful desk reference. Each chapter begins with an explanation of concepts, illustrated with extensive figures and tables to make each concept clear and understandable to readers of any background. The chapters conclude with comprehensive lists of references and further reading, followed by case studies which present building problems and solutions related to the content of the chapter. The case studies, some of which are new to the second edition, highlight some of the most prominent and notable projects of recent times as well as practical solutions to common acoustic issues. The first chapter provides a broad foundation for understanding the behavior and quantification of sound sources, paths and receivers. A full spectrum of topics, from frequency, to reverberation, to noise criteria is introduced here. Topics are summarized in plain English; the complete mathematical derivation of acoustic behavior is omitted in favor of practical, immediately applicable information accessible to students and nonengineers. The case study of the Fogg Art Museum Lecture Hall at the end of the first chapter is particularly interesting, since it is in this room that architectural acoustics as a field of study and practice began. Most readers will be familiar with the construction materials presented in chapter two, but not necessarily their acoustical properties and applications. A thorough review of many common building materials as well as some specialized acoustical devices are presented here. The chapter concludes with many tables of absorption coefficients and isolation construction assemblies, which make the book a useful reference for practicing architects and acousticians.